Despite our best efforts, we may not be getting all the vitamins and minerals we need from our diet, no matter how healthy it is. One study analyzed the diet of 70 athletes, and found that all of them were missing at least three nutrients. Among the vitamins that were lacking included Iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E and Magnesium.
All four of the vitamins listed above are essential for a healthy diet. Here's a close look at each, why they're important, and some symptoms you might have if your diet is low in any one of them.
Iron
Iron deficiency is said to be the most common nutritional disorder there is. That's a sobering thought when you consider that iron is a part of all the cells in our body. Among many other things, it helps our muscles store and use oxygen.
Not having enough iron in our diet is the leading cause of anemia in the United States. Anemia affects the functioning of several organ systems.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include:
Vitamin B12
How important is vitamin B12? It's essential for the manufacture of red blood cells, it's needed to support the normal function of nerve cells, and it's necessary in the creation of DNA. The latter is important, because when our DNA can't replicate naturally, it means we can't generate new healthy cells.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency include:
Vitamin E
Vitamin E's primary role in the body is to act as an antioxidant to get rid of free radicals that can damage cells. It's been used in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
Symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency include:
Magnesium
Magnesium is an incredibly important nutrient that is essential for over 300 chemical reactions in the body, including maintaining energy levels and sustaining the health of the heart and blood vessels. Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies.
Symptoms of Magnesium deficiency include:
Having a nutritional plan that works hand-in-hand with your fitness plan is crucial. Contact any of the personal trainers at the Downtown Athletic Club of Amarillo for more information.
All four of the vitamins listed above are essential for a healthy diet. Here's a close look at each, why they're important, and some symptoms you might have if your diet is low in any one of them.
Iron
Iron deficiency is said to be the most common nutritional disorder there is. That's a sobering thought when you consider that iron is a part of all the cells in our body. Among many other things, it helps our muscles store and use oxygen.
Not having enough iron in our diet is the leading cause of anemia in the United States. Anemia affects the functioning of several organ systems.
Symptoms of iron deficiency include:
- Feeling tired and weak
- Decreased work and school performance
- Slow cognitive and social development in childhood
- Decreased immune function
Vitamin B12
How important is vitamin B12? It's essential for the manufacture of red blood cells, it's needed to support the normal function of nerve cells, and it's necessary in the creation of DNA. The latter is important, because when our DNA can't replicate naturally, it means we can't generate new healthy cells.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- Feeling weak, tired and lightheaded
- Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite and gas
- Vision loss
- Depression, memory loss or behavioral changes
- Nerve problems like tingling, and muscle weakness
Vitamin E
Vitamin E's primary role in the body is to act as an antioxidant to get rid of free radicals that can damage cells. It's been used in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
Symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency include:
- Anemia
- Poor balance
- Muscle weakness
- Vision problems
Magnesium
Magnesium is an incredibly important nutrient that is essential for over 300 chemical reactions in the body, including maintaining energy levels and sustaining the health of the heart and blood vessels. Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies.
Symptoms of Magnesium deficiency include:
- Migraines
- Insulin resistance
- Constipation
- Restless leg syndrome
- Cramping
- Hypertension
Having a nutritional plan that works hand-in-hand with your fitness plan is crucial. Contact any of the personal trainers at the Downtown Athletic Club of Amarillo for more information.
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